US Senate Passes Landmark Immigration Bill
June 27, 2013
The U.S. Senate has approved a landmark overhaul of immigration laws by a 68 to 32 vote. The bill is a top item on President Barack Obama’s agenda, but faces an uncertain future in the House of Representatives.
The Senate’s comprehensive reform bill provides a long and arduous path to residency and eventual U.S. citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.
Democrat Richard Durbin helped craft the bill and explains the provisions.
“To have 11 million people come forward, identify themselves, register with our government, pay their taxes, pay a fine, submit themselves to a criminal background check before we allow them to stay in this country," he said.
The bill also seeks to streamline legal immigration, with an emphasis on attracting high-skilled workers. And it mandates a “surge” in U.S. border security, as noted by Republican Senator Marco Rubio.
“This proposal mandates the most border and interior security measures in our nation’s history. For example, it requires and funds the completion of 700 miles [1,126 kilometers] of real border fence. It adds 20,000 new border agents. It details a specific technology plan for [monitoring] each sector of the border," he said.
All Democratic senators backed the bill, joined by about one-third of Republicans. Opponents, like Senator David Vitter, doubt it will achieve its security goals.
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